Frequently Asked Questions

My candles are made with 100% soy wax, a plant-based wax. It burns slowly and cleanly, and its low melting point gently releases fragrance into the room.

No. My candles are made with 100% soy wax, without paraffin and without blending in other waxes.

My candles currently come in two sizes, in glass jars: 5.5 oz and 7.5 oz.

A 7.5 oz candle burns for more than 50 hours, and a 5.5 oz candle for more than 25 hours. This long burn time comes from the 100% soy wax and the choice of wick, which give a slow, steady burn that lasts longer than other wax blends.

I currently use CD wicks: flat-braided cotton wicks with no metal core and fine paper threads woven into the braid. Designed for plant-based waxes like soy, they curl on their own as they burn, which naturally keeps the flame steady.

No. I carefully choose my fragrances from reputable Canadian suppliers, and they never contain phthalates. Phthalates are additives sometimes added to fragrances to fix the scent and make it last; these additives are suspected of being harmful to health. Wherever you buy your candles, I recommend checking that they don't contain any.

The glass jar can be reused once the candle is finished. To remove leftover wax, put the jar in the freezer for a few hours: the wax pops out in one piece. Then wash the jar in hot soapy water, and you can use it as a vase, pencil holder or small plant pot.

Let your candle burn for about 3 to 4 hours, until the wax has melted to the edges or close to them. This first burn helps prevent "tunnelling", where the wax only melts in the centre. For the 7.5 oz candle, it's normal for the edges to melt later: it's built into the design (see "Why is my candle tunnelling in the centre?").

For the 7.5 oz candle, a little tunnelling during the first burns is normal and built into the design: the jar is wider at the top than at the bottom, so the edges melt later, as the wick goes down. In the end, all the wax is usually used. A bigger wick would melt the edges sooner but would make the flame too strong.

It's best not to burn a candle for more than 4 hours at a time. After that, the wick gets longer, the flame grows and the jar gets hotter. Put it out, let it cool for at least 2 hours, trim the wick if needed, then light it again.

Stop using the candle when about 1 cm (½ inch) of wax is left at the bottom of the jar: below that, the glass can overheat. It's the perfect time to clean the jar and give it a second life (see "What can I do with the jar once the candle is finished?").

• Never leave a burning candle unattended.
• Keep it out of reach of children and pets.
• Place it on a stable, heat-resistant surface, away from curtains, drafts and anything flammable.

I handmake rings, pendants and beaded bracelets, with stones and pearls (freshwater and saltwater pearls, including Akoya). Stones and pearls keep their natural colours, with rare exceptions.

• Rings: sterling silver or Argentium silver, an alloy that is harder and more tarnish-resistant than sterling.
• Pendants: most often fine silver (99.9%), sometimes sterling or Argentium silver.
• Some one-of-a-kind pieces: 10K or 14K gold.
• Beaded and pearl bracelets: for the metal, stainless steel, which doesn't tarnish, or gold-filled, whose gold layer is much thicker than gold plating. The stones and pearls are quality pieces selected specifically for bracelet making, and most often keep their natural colours to preserve their authenticity (except for some projects, when the colour needed doesn't exist naturally).
• Each material is chosen for how the piece is worn: a bracelet rubs more and is harder to polish than a ring, so it gets tougher materials.

I list my rings in US sizes, most often from 5 to 11. At markets, you can try them on and measure your finger with my ring sizer. At home, the string method also works: wrap a string around your finger, mark where it meets, then measure its length and convert it to a size using a US ring size chart.

Yes. Most of my rings are one-of-a-kind, but I can remake a design in a specific size, including smaller than 5 or larger than 11. Message me on Instagram with the design you like and your size.

Take your jewelry off before swimming, exercising or applying lotion and perfume. Store each piece separately, in a pouch, away from moisture. Sterling, Argentium and fine silver regain their shine with a jewelry polishing cloth; stainless steel cleans with warm soapy water; gold-filled pieces should be cleaned gently, without abrasives.

For now, my creations are sold in person at artisan markets and events in and around Montreal. I announce dates and locations on Instagram, Facebook and TikTok (@demarco.atelier) and in my email announcements.

My online shop is planned for around summer 2027. I'll share updates about it on my social media as it progresses.

When my online shop opens, I plan to ship at least everywhere in Quebec, and likely Ontario. My goal is to offer shipping across Canada from launch, which is still to be confirmed.

Not for now. I'll consider international shipping once deliveries in Quebec and Canada are running smoothly. It will depend on each country and its rules (customs fees, tariffs), to keep prices realistic.

At markets, I accept all cards (credit and debit), cash and, if needed, Interac e-Transfer. I'll announce payment methods for the online shop when it opens.

Yes: a handmade candle made in Montreal is a local, personal and useful gift. The 5.5 oz size works well for hostess gifts, thank-yous and stocking stuffers; the 7.5 oz size for bigger occasions. De Marco itself started with gifts I made for my family and friends.

I'm always up for creative projects, for both candles and jewelry, especially when they match my style. I focus first on my collections and one-of-a-kind pieces, so each request depends on my current availability. Feel free to message me on Instagram to talk it over!

Yes. I can make candles in quantity for weddings (guest favours), events or corporate gifts. Message me on Instagram describing your project, the quantity and the date you need them: the earlier the request, the easier it is to plan.

In my emails, I'll announce the markets I take part in, my new products and collections, promotions and the opening of my online shop. I'll only send them when I have something new to share, without flooding your inbox.

You can unsubscribe at any time with the link at the bottom of every email, or by writing to contact@demarcoatelier.ca.

De Marco is my artisan studio in Montreal, where I make candles and jewelry by hand. My name is Marc-Olivier Lamothe, but everyone calls me Marco, and I design and make every piece myself. For now, my creations are sold at markets and events while I prepare my online shop, planned for around summer 2027.

De Marco is my brand, and it comes from me, Marco! My full first name, Marc-Olivier, was a bit long for a logo. So I placed olive leaves on the O of De Marco: a little way to keep the "Olivier" in the name.

My studio is in Montreal's Hochelaga-Maisonneuve neighbourhood, in Quebec. It is not open to the public: to see and buy my creations in person, follow me on social media to stay up to date on the markets I take part in, or subscribe to my email announcements.